Sprinkler control



March 16, 1948. J. D. sPENcE SPRINKLER CONTROL Filed Dec. 4, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 MIZ/2 $123@ @V 7 www March 16, i948. D, SPENCE 2,437,764

SPRINKLER CONTROL Filed Dec. 4, 1945 2 sheets-sheet 2 a@ @fw/m Patented Mar. 1e, 194e UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 SPRINKLER CONTROL John D. Spence, La Crescenta, Calif. Application December 4, 1945, Serial No. 632,712A

5 Claims. 1

The primary object of my invention is the provision of a sprinkler control means whereby the running time of the water ow may be predetermined, and when determined and adjusted to that time, given no further attention.

It is thus an object of the herein invention to provide a means whereby the water iiow may be controlled to continue for such periods of time as may be desired, and when the designated time has elapsed, automatically discontinue flowing until manually started again for a like or other designated period of time as desired,

And a further object of the herein invention is the provision of a device equally suitable for the control of any desired controlled Water llow for purposes other than sprinkling, and irrespective how and where employed.

I attain these objects by the device illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of the invention taken on line I-I of Fig. 2; and

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Similar numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the views, and wherein a oat I0 carried on one end of an arm II looped back upon itself forms a hub I2 journaled about a rocker shaft I3, but is not fixed thereto.

The rod forming the arm II is further bent after forming the hub I2 to form a loop I4 at the base of another arm I5. The latter returns upon itself at its outer end to form a hook I6.

The float I0 is positioned to ascend and descent within an uncovered box-like tank Il having a pair of bracket bearings I8 secured as by screws I9 adjacent the upper edge of one wall of the tank Il to provide a support foi' opposite ends of the rocker shaft I3.

The hub I2 is disposed midway the ends of the shaft I3, and a pair of sleeves 20 are journaled upon the shaft I3, one on each side of the hub I2 and between the bearings I8,

A pair of pins 2l are fixed diametrically through the shaft I3 so that one of said pins is positioned between each of the bearings I8 and its adjacent sleeve 20, thereby holding the shaft I3 and the parts supported thereon in a central position in relation to the bearings I8.

Each of the sleeves 20 is provided with an upstanding boss 22 and a horizontal boss 23.

A single pin 24 is fixed in a horizontal position through each of the bosses 23, thereby tying the sleeves 20 together as a movable unit. The pin 24 extends beyond the ends of the sleeves 20 so as to strike against the bearings I 8, thereby pro- 2 viding limit-stops for the rotation of the sleeves 20.

One end of the shaft I3 is telescoped over one end of a valve-stem 25 and is also slotted as at 26 to engage a pin 21 carried by the valve stem 25. The latter is the operating stem of a valve 28 connected to one end of a pipe 29 carried by a pair of brackets 30 secured to one wall of the tank I1 as by rivets 3 I.

A smaller valve 32 is connected T-like into the pipe 29 to supply water into the tank I1 at denite periods as is hereinafter explained. The other end of the pipe 29 is provided with a male hose connector 33. A female hose connector 34 is connected into one side of the valve 28.

One end of a pair of rods 35 is xed in each of the bosses 22. The rods are bent at right angles to provide a pair of weight supporting arms 36 on which are supported a pair of rollers 31 axially aligned on a common shaft 38 fixed in a weight 39, thereby slidably supporting the weight 39 on the arms 36. The arms 35 and 36 provide an angular crank member for turning the shaft.

Another weight 40 provided with a roller 4I journaled upon a pin 42 fixed in the weightl 40 is disposed to ride on the arm I5.

One end of the arms 36 is bent upon themselves to form a hook 43.

An orice 44 provided through the bottom of the tank Il is closable by means of a stopper 45, having a. stem 46 extending upwardly through a bracket 41 secured to a wall of the tank Il.

Pins 48 and 49, and links 50 loosely connect the stopper 45 to the arm I I.

In operation when the tank is empty the stopper 45 drops into and closes the orifice 44.

Water is supplied to the valve 28 through the hose connector 34 by means of a hose or other conveying means not shown. Similarly, a hose or other conveying means not shown, is connected to the hose connector 33 to supply water to a sprinkling system, for example, not shown.

When the arm 36 and the weight 39 are raised to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 1, a pin 5I carried by the sleeves 20 strikes the pins 2| and thereby turns the shaft I3 and the valve-stem 25 to open the valve 28 permitting water to flow through the pipe 29. The pin 5I is xed in a, pair of bosses 52 integral with the sleeves '20 in the identical manner that the pin 24 is xed in the bosses 23.

The valve 32 is opened to permit water from the pipe 29 to enter the tank I1.

The time required for lling the tank Il is also the time desired for the sprinklingsystem, for

example, to be supplied with water. It is determined by the volume of iiow permitted to pass through the valve 32. Obviously, a dripping of water into the tank I'I would require a longer period of time to ll the tank than it would require were the valve 32 opened to let out a larger volurne of water.

When the tank is filled, the float I will be at the approximate position shown by; broken lines, and thereby lowering the arm l to the position likewise shown by broken lines, whereupon the weight 4D will travel toward the hook i6, and this in turn will cause the arm I5 to lower, thereby7 in turn raising the float 45 will be pulled out of the orifice144 by meansof` the pins 48 and 49, and the links 50,`permitting the tank l1 to empty.

When the float l0 is thus raised by the weight l 40, the arm Il will engage the pin 24 and Wlll` cause the sleeves 20 to-1-otate in Fig. 1.

The weight 39 is balanced over the center of the shaft I3; wherefore-only'aslightmovement of the sleeves 20-is required to cause-the-weight 39 to falltoward the broken lineposition shownin Fig. 1. As the weightfalls toward the broken line Aposition, the pin 24 willengagethepin 2i andthereby turn the shaft I 3-and the valve-stem 25` to turn the valve 28 to stop the'iiowy of water to the sprinkling system, for-example,` and tothe valve 32.

A small clearance will be noted in the drawings between the pin 24v and the pins 2|; 'This permits theweight 4D; to-rotate the sleeves 29 freely for a short distance andthereby permitting the Weight-39to-startits fall before assuming the task of turning the'valve-stem-ZS.

The invention may readilybe produced from materials the market affords andfatlno great cost. It is thoroughly reliable forV the Objectives claimed; practically fool-proof; and requires no attention once; started: The WaterA ow will continue to fiowftothe-sprinkling system, for example, for the Vpredeterminedperiod Yto Vwhich the tank flow is adjustedgand at the expirationof that period, will automatically shutoialli`urther supply to the system.

I am aware that changes 'in structure Aasjherein disclosed may from time to tlme'suggest themselves without departing, however, from thescope ofthe structural characteristics' herein set; forth'. Hence, it is intended thatz-thedescription and drawings oi myipresent invention shall beinterpreted as illustrative and notin a-limiting'sense. What I do claim, however, and desire' to'secure by Letters Patent', is;

1. In a mechanismlf'or, controlling thefl'ow of liquid from a supply line to aservice point'; a pipe adapted to be connected betweensaid line and said point, .amain valve operable in said pipe line to start and stop the' iiow therethrough, a timing tank associated With saidl pipe line; a valve discharge member in said pipe adjustable for varying therate orflow. of'liquidfrom said pipe into` said tank when said main valve is opened;` a discharge opening in saidtank; a normally closed discharge valve controllingI said opening; a rock shaft on saidtank; means connecting said main valveand.- saidshaftfor open-. ing and closing said main valve responsive to the turning of said shaft; a sleeve member. mounted on'said shaft for limited turningzmovement relative thereto, coacting drive pins on said sleeve member andfsaidzshaft-'for-turninglsaidshaft re# sponsive to turningof said sleeve; an angular clockwise as Yseen l0 higher and the stopper crank member fixed at one end to said sleeve member so that when swung into a predetermined elevated position the sleeve member and shaft will be turned to open said main valve, and when swung into a predetermined lowered position, the sleeve member and shaft will be turned to close said main valve; a weight slidable on said crank member so that when the crank member is moved into said elevated. position. the weight will slidefinto a balanced position, intermediate the ends of said crank member to hold it in said elevated position to open said main valve and when the crank member is tilted out of said elevated position the weight will overbalance and slide along said crank member and swing it into said'predetermined lowered position to close said mainsA valve; afloat-controlled means operating responsive to the liquid discharged from said pipe into` said'tank to a predetermined level therein, for turning said sleeve. member and tilting said crank: member' to alpositiondnlwhich the weight will: swing: the: crankzmembler' intoI said lowered position'tozcloseisaidmain,.valve,` andimeans re.- sponsive toLsaidiloat--controlled means-for openfingr said tank discharge1 valve and emptying said tank;.

2; In a mechanismior controlling: the ow. of liquidifronra/'supplyfline to a' service point;` aipipe adapted; to: be: connectedA between; said', line and said-point; aimainvalvefoperablein said'pipe line tostarti and stop thel-ow therethrough;..a:.timing tank associated :with `saidzpipe; Aaivalvedischarge memberV insaidipipe adjnstablefor varying the rateiof Aiiow; ofliquid from saidpipainto. saidtank when; said main. valve*` is; opened; a discharge openingin saidrtank;` a: normally closed: discharge valve controlling said'opening;A- a rock*` shaft on said'tank,` means connectingsaidfmain valve: and said shaftioropeningianckclosingzsaid mainivalve responsive totheturning oi;Y said shaft;: a sleeve member. mountedoxr said. shaft `for: limitedrturn.- ingmovement relativethereto,` coasting .drive pins on said sleeve member and said shaft for. turn'- ing` saidf; shaft responsive; to rturningv of; thei; said sleeve; an languiar:crank-:member.iixed:at;one;end t'o, saidfsleeve member so vtiiatfwhenf swung'into.a predetermlnedfelevated a position the-sleeve mem'- ber and shaftrwillibe turned; to; open saidmain valvef'and: when swungintoa -predeterminedlowered'lposition, the'V sleeve: member.` and shaft will berturned to. closesaiitmain va1ve;. a. weight slid# :able on said; crank-f, member so'that when. the crank-y member; isgmov'ed: intox said elevated.: positions the; weight` Willi slide into.` a: balanced; position: intermediate,- the'; ends; of; sa1d;cranki mem-A ber to hold itinsaidelevated positionitdopen said: main* valve and: Whenzthef; crank' member is tilted out of said elevated positiozrtheeweighttwill overbalance f. andi slide;A along Ssaidz crank; member and swing itinto saidpredeterminedSloweredfpoe sitionf to close lsaidnnainzvalvel; a4 dorata-controlled means operating responsive. to the` liquid` disoliarged from saidpipeinto saidltank to'a predetermined level thereinv for turning. said! sleeve memberi andItilting` said:r crank :member toa l.position in Wliichvtheweig-litL willfswingtheicrank member intoL saldi. loweredf position to closel said main valve,V meansiresponsivei-tosaid float-con-v trolled meansafor` opening saidtank ,discharge valve for emptying-saidtank. said 'float-controlled 'meansf inciudingIa-float supportingarm'mounted to turn freely-Lonsaid'f'shaft, aliioat supported/by said Y arm withinl said tank; a weight-supporting armjoined Atothe vportion orfthe--Afl'oat-supporting armi which ls'mounted` on-sald shaft; aweight slidable on said weight-supporting arm; said l float-supporting arm being disposed to contact one of the pins on said sleeve member and turn said sleeve member for tilting said crank member to overbalance it when the float reaches a predetermined level in said tank; said weight-supporting arm being arranged to support the weight adjacent the shaft when the iloat is below said predetermined level and when said float rises past said predetermined level to be moved to a position causing said arm-supported weight to slide and swing the weight-'supporting arm and in turn the sleeve member and crank member downwardly, such downward movement of the crank member causing the weight supported thereby to slide and move the main valve to closed position upon contact of the drive pins on said sleeve member and shaft.

3. In a mechanism for controlling the flow of liquid from a supply line to a service point, a pipe adapted to be connected between said line and said point; a main valve operable in said pipe line to start and stop the flow therethrough; a timing tank associated with said pipe; a valve discharge member in said pipe adjustable for varying the rate of iiow of liquid from said pipe into said tank when said main valve is opened; a discharge opening in said tank; a normally closed discharge valve controlling said opening, a rock shaft on said tank, means connecting said main valve and said shaft for opening and closing said main valve responsive to the turning of said shaft; a sleeve 'member mounted on said shaft means for limiting turning movement of said sleeve member relative to said shaft, said means comprising coacting drive pins on said sleeve member and said shaft for turning said shaft responsive to turning of the said sleeve, an angular crank member fixed at one end to said sleeve member so that when swung into a predetermined elevated position the sleeve member and shaft will be turned to open said main valve, and when swung into a predetermined lowered position, the sleeve member and shaft will be turned to close said main valve; a weight slidable on said crank member so that when the crank member is moved into said elevated position the weight will slide into a balanced position intermediate the ends of said crank member to hold it in said elevated position to open said main valve and when the crank member is tilted out of said elevated position the weight will overbalance and slide along said crank member and swing it into said predetermined lowered position to close said main valve; a float-'controlled means operating responsive to the liquid discharged from said pipe into said tank to a predetermined level therein for turning said sleeve member and tilting said crank member to a position in which the weight will swing the crank member into said lowered position to close said main Valve; means responsive to said neat-controlled means for opening said tank discharge valve for emptying said tank, said float-controlled means including a normally balanced weight means operative to tilt said crank member and overbalance it when :a predetermined level of liquid is reached in said tank.

4. In a mechanism for controlling the flow of liquid from a supply line to a service point, a pipe adapted to be connected between said line and said point; a main valve operable in said pipe line to start and stop the ilow therethrough; a timing tank associated with said pipe line; a valve discharge member in said pipe adjustable for varying the rate of flow of liquid from said pipe into said tank when said main valve is opened; a

discharge opening in said tank, -a normally closed dischargevalve.controlling said opening; a rock shaft on said tank; means connecting said main valve and said tank for opening and closing said main valve responsive to the turning of said shaft; a sleeve member mounted on said shaft for limited turning movement relative thereto; coacting drive pins on said sleeve member and said shaft for turning said` shaft responsive to the turning of said sleeve, an angular crank member fixed at one end to said sleeve member so that when swung into a predetermined elevated position the sleeve memberand shaft will be turned to open said main valve, and when swung into a predetermined lowered position, the sleeve member and shaft will be turned to close said main valve; a weight slidable on said crank member so that when the `crank member is moved into said elevated position the Weight will slide into a balanced position intermediate the ends of said crank member to hold it in said elevated position to open said main valve and when the crank member is tilted out of said elevated position the weight will overbalance and slide along said crank member and swing it into said predetermined lowered position to close said main valve; a floatcontrolled means operating responsive to the liquid discharged from said pipe into said tank to a predetermined level therein for turning said sleeve member and tilting said crank member to a position in which the weight will swing the crank member into said lowered position to close said main valve; means responsive to said float-controlled means for opening said tank discharge valve and emptying said tank, said crank memben, said sleeve member and float-controlled means being constructed and larranged so that the mechanism may be reset for another operation by manually lifting said crank member into said predetermined elevated position.

5. In a mechanism for controlling the flow of liquid from a supply line to a service point; a pipe adapted to be connected between said line and said point, a main valve operable in said pipe line to start and stop the flow therethrough; a timing tank associated with said pipe line; a valve discharge member in said pipe adjustable for varying the rate of flow of liquid from said pipe into said tank when said main valve is opened; a discharge opening in said tank, a normally closed discharge valve controlling said opening, a rock shaft on said tank, means connecting said main valve and said tank for opening and closing said main valve responsive to the turning of said shaft; a sleeve member mounted on said shaft for limited turning movement relative thereto, a drive connection between said sleeve member and said shaft for turning said shaft responsive to the turning of said sleeve, an angular crank member fixed at one end to said sleeve member so that when swung into a predetermined elevated position the sleeve member and shaft will be turned to open said main valve, and when swung into a predetermined lowered position, the sleeve member and shaft will be turned to close said main valve; a weight slidable on said crank member so that when the crank member is moved into said elevated position the weight will slide into a balanced position intermediate the ends of said crank member to hold it in said elevated position to open said main valve and when the crank member is tilted out of said elevated position the weight will overbalance and slide along said crank member and swing it into said predetermined lowered position to close said main valve; a neat-cont'rolledmeansoperating;respon slve to the liquidvdischargedfom saldippeiinto said tank to al predetermined levelthereinvfr turning said sleeve member and tilting said crank member to a.,position`n whichthe-weightiwill swing the crank memberinto `said' lowered-'1 position to close sadlmaln'valve; means-'responsive to said float-controlled means for openzlngil said tank discharge valve and-emptying-'said -tankgfsald crank member, said sleevel member' andi oat'- controlled means bengrconstructedland arranged so that the mechanismmay-rbe -resetfforlanother operation -by manually lifting `saideran'kmember into said predetermined elevated position"r JOHN D; SPENCEL REFERENCES CITED The-following,references-are of record in the 5 file of this patent:

UNITED` STATES PATENTS Number:v

Certificate of Correction Patent No. 2,437,764. March 16, 1948.

JOHN D. SPENCE It is hereby certified that errors appear in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Column 1, line 33, for the Word descent read descend; column 2, line 27, for is bent read are bent; und that the said Letters Patent should be read with these corrections therein that the same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealedthis 11th day of May, A. D. 1948.

THOMAS F. MURPHY,

Assistant Uommzssioner of Patents. 

